Phased Retirement Reality

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The Phased Retirement Plan, which was introduced in 2012, allows employees who are eligible for retirement to work part-time.  This would allow them to receive half of the annuity that they have earned to that point, while still being treated like an employee as apposed to a retiree.  Phased Retirement sounds all well and good, until you look at the rate at which federal employees are actually receiving it.  For a retirement option that has been praised so highly by the government, it is sure taking quite some time for it to be put into motion.  Why is this?  When will this change? Read more

Fear of Losing Benefits (by Tammy Flanagan)

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Recently, Government Executive’s research unit, the Government Business Council, conducted an in-depth research study of federal employees. The results revealed some interesting trends.

Most of the people who responded to the survey (68 percent) were planning to retire within the next five years, with another 25 percent saying they were likely to leave government within the next 15 years. These are typical of the audiences I address at pre-retirement or mid-career planning seminars. Nearly 900 people took the survey, representing more than 30 civilian federal agencies and defense organizations. Read more

OPM Policy Change on Divorce Matters – URGENT (by: Dan Jamison)

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OPM has silently changed the way that they process divorce court orders.  If you have been divorced, and a portion of your annuity was awarded to your former spouse, YOU MUST READ THIS.

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Federal Long-Term Care Premiums Rising by Triple Digits

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Planning for Long Term Care is such an important component of your retirement plan.  However, the continual rate increases of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program are a major cause of concern among federal employees.  Enrollees are facing an average increase of 83% in 2016. Read more

Accelerate the Tax Efficiency of Roth TSP Distributions

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Given the fear of future tax increases, why aren’t more federal employees utilizing the Roth TSP to provide a buffer from future taxes?

I ask this question all the time during workshops and individual sessions with federal employees. The most popular responses are: (1) I don’t understand how the Roth TSP works, (2) I will be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, and (3) I don’t like the withdrawal limitations of the Roth TSP.

If you would like to get a better understanding of how the Roth TSP works, click here to request Chapter 5: The Roth TSP, from my book: FedSavvy, Tools and Tips to Maximize Your Federal Benefits.